Jim Commentucci/The Post-StandardBoats line up during at last year's competition.

The following is a press release and includes a video I shot last year during the competition:

On Saturday and Sunday, Syracuse- area Hobie Cat sailing Fleet 204 will host their 35th anniversary Madcatter sailing regatta at Oneida Shores County Park in Brewerton.

The major sponsor of the regatta this year is Boatworks, of East Syracuse.

Sailors from across the U.S., New York State, Canada, and Puerto Rico will compete in a series of races on Oneida Lake during the weekend long event. Over 150 Hobie Cat sailors are expected to compete in each race which is comprised of a two person captain and crew, per boat.

Central New York area crews expected to compete in the races will include local Fleet 204 Hobie Cat 2010 national champion Hobie Wave sailor Mimi Appel from Marcellus, ; Liverpool area competitors Sue and Tom Korzeniewski; Fayetteville residents Dr. Herb and Sharon James; 2010 National Hobie Cat Youth Champions Trey James and Erica Korzeniewski.

Madcatter Regatta at Oneida LakeOutdoors Editor David Figura interviews five-time North American Hobie Cat sailing champion Susan Korzeniewski, of Liverpool, and her sailing partner, Darcie Jeri, of Manlius, at the start of the 34th Annual Madcatter Regatta on Oneida Lake. The event, hosted by the Fleet 204 Hobie Cat sailing club, started today (Saturday) and finishes Sunday. The awards ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Oneidas Shores Park. A total of 62 boats are entered in the regatta, which marks the start of the Hobie Cat sailing season in the Northeast. For more, see the Outdoors blog or the Outdoors page of Sunday's Post-Standard.

New this year the racing field will include the F18 class of sailboats. Participants will travel from Canada, Michigan and the entire northeast U.S. to compete in these very fast sleek sailing crafts. Included in this class of sailboats will be the Hobie Wild Cat. This 18-foot long high tech sailboat was developed by the Hobie Cat division in Europe and is fast becoming a favorite among the F18 sailors here in the United States. It is expected to be very fast and competitive in the F18 class.

Races will be held on both days. Boats will leave the Park’s beach both days around 10:00am and racing will start shortly after on the lake. Spectators are also encouraged to watch the races on the lake either from shore or from personal watercraft.

Oneida Shores County Park and this event are open to the public who are encouraged to visit with the sailors and view the beautiful sailboats and their colorful sails. The racers compete on a course of triangle buoys set about 1 mile apart. There will be five categories of classes competing in the day long events. Hobie Cat sailboats vary in sizes from the popular 16 foot to 21 foot boats. Known as some of the fastest and most exciting small personal sailboats, competitors will challenge the winds and waves that Oneida Lake is well known for.

This year’s Hobie Cat Fleet Commodore Sean Smith from Baldwinsville states, “We are expecting a really good turnout of sailors from all across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, pre-registration is heavy and the competition will be world class.” Smith continued, “We encourage the public to come out to Oneida Shores to visit with the racers and sailors.” Park visitors and race spectators are encouraged to visit Oneida Shores County Park; there is no admission or parking fee until Memorial Day.

For more information about Fleet 204 and catamaran sailing visit their Web site. The public can also contact Oneida Shores County Park at (315) 676-7366 for more information.